A Hezbollah missile targeting the Mossad headquarters in Tel Aviv was intercepted early Wednesday morning as sirens sounded throughout the city. This Hezbollah attack on central Israel comes on the heels of last week’s pagers explosions and the overall heightened tensions.
According to the Saudi Al-Hadath newspaper, the terrorist group purposefully launched the missile at 06:29 am, a symbolic reminder of when the atrocities began on October 7, which was at that same time. Thankfully, the missile was intercepted by the David’s Slingshot aerial defense system. The IDF then destroyed the launcher that is located in Lebanon, about 20 km from Israel’s border. The Alma Center for Northern Arena Research put out a notice confirming that the launcher used for this morning’s ballistic missile fired at Tel Aviv was hidden within a civilian building complex. The idea here is for Hezbollah to place military infrastructure in densely populated areas, endangering civilians in the process.
Magen David Adom did not report injuries from this, however, in the north there was a rocket barrage and two people were hurt by shrapnel and evacuated to Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya. One was a 35-year-old man in serious condition with upper body injuries, and the other, a 52-year-old man in moderate condition with lower body injuries. Several are being treated on-site for anxiety.
The IDF has mobilized two critical reserve brigades to the northern front as part of the ongoing military efforts against Hezbollah:
The Etzioni Brigade (Brigade 6), first formed in 1947, has played a key role in protecting Jerusalem during the War of Independence and throughout Israel’s military history. Originally tasked with defending the region, the brigade was restructured into a modern infantry brigade in 2010. Currently, it serves under the Northern Command, responsible for defending Israel’s northern border. The Etzioni Brigade has also been involved in several offensive operations, including Operation Defensive Shield in 2002. It has undergone modernization efforts that prepared it to function in both defensive and offensive roles.
The Northern Nahal Brigade (Brigade 228), also known as the Alon Brigade, consists of reserve forces that have historically served in key operations such as Operation Defensive Shield and other campaigns. Its purpose is to provide rapid infantry deployment, securing Israel’s northern frontier, while also preparing for ground maneuvers into hostile territories. The brigade has been modernized to handle both defense and attack missions, making it a critical component in the IDF’s strategic planning against Hezbollah.
Both brigades have been heavily involved in ground operations in the past, and their current deployment signals a readiness to escalate the conflict if necessary. They are part of the IDF’s plan to neutralize Hezbollah’s military capabilities while ensuring the protection of Israel’s northern communities. In the current conflict, where the potential for a ground invasion in Lebanon is being discussed, these brigades’ presence suggests readiness for possible maneuvers, as IDF commanders, including Maj. Gen. Ori Gordin, have hinted at ground operations in response to Hezbollah’s threats.
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